Past Speaking Tips of the Week
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Past Speaking Tips
August 2003

August 4 - Humor

August 18 - Sharing
August 11 - Emotions
Members
July 2003

July 14 - Get Yourself on Video

July 21 - Improve Your Speaking Skills
July 28 - Focus
September 2 - Rapport

Connecting with your audience flows from rapport and relationship.  Today we will cover gaining rapport. 

Find commonality -  We attract and are drawn to people with common interest.  Avoid trying to create connections in unknown areas. 

Be likeable - Here are four ways to become instantly likeable:  Remember the name of the person or group you are speaking to and use it frequently; show an interest in the individual or organization.  Make it obvious that you are there for them, not for yourself; Give a sincere compliment; use light humor.
September 8 - 11 Hidden Causes of Public Speaking Stress

1.  Thinking that public speaking is inherently stressful (it is not)
2.  Thinking you need to be brilliant or perfect to succeed (you do not)
3.  Trying to impart too much information or cover too many points in a short presentation.
4.  Having the wrong purpose in mind (to get rather than to contribute)
5.  Trying to please everyone (this is unrealistic)
6.  Trying to emulate other speakers (very difficult) rather than simply being yourself (very easy)
7.  Failing to be personally revealing and humble
8.  Being fearful of potential negative outcomes (they almost never occur and even when they do, you can use them to your advantage)
9.  Trying to control the wrong things (e.g., the behavior of the audience)
10. Spending too much time over-preparing (instead of developing confidence and trust in your natural ability to succeed)
11. Thinking your audience will be as critical of your performance as you might be.
September 15 - Creativity

Creativity does not have to be hokey or weird.  Creativity is being unpredictable, interesting and generating an AH-ha from the audience.  Try these things:

1.  Deliver a nontraditional outline.  Got five points to make?  Don't do them in order.  Start with number three, then five.
2.  Use stories and illustrations that are not worn out.  Be fresh, make up your own stuff and stop depending on what is already out there.
3.  Get visual and vocal, use props and people to make your point more vivid.
4.  Think inside the box.  So many people have gone outside the box that people have forgotten what is in the box.  Old is becoming fresh again. 
5.  Spontaneity - plan your presentation, but not all of it.  Leave room to play off the crowd.  Learn to use comments from the audience, letting the crowd know you are not a talking mannequin.
September 22 - Clarity

Without clarity, we not only fail to communicate, we miss-communicate.  Your audience may miss the true meaning and will not be able to fully apply your message.  You will miss and opportunity to share maximum value.  Look at the following points:

> Am I speaking at or below the level of the audience?  Presenting is about sharing information that is useful to your audience.  You do not want your message to be lost in big words or ignored because you made your audience feel dumb.  Keep it simple but not preschool.

> Use personal and relevant illustrations that enhance the message and tie to the theme.  It does not matter that the joke is great if it does not relate.  The same holds true for the illustrations you choose.  The key is using stories, jokes, etc. that support and strengthen your presentation.

Stay focused.  Tangents lead away from the topic and rarely return successfully.
Self Introductions

If you have no one to introduce you,  you will have to do it yourself.  Keep it short and be careful to eliminate most of your "big brag" items.  It is okay if someone else tells the audience how great you are but it sounds really bad if you do it.  You can slip in a brag item later as the talk progresses and always make a point when you throw in a brag line.
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